Long-Term Dose-Response Condensed Tannin Supplementation Does Not Affect Iron Status or Bioavailability

Citation: Delimont, N. M., Fiorentino, N. M., Kimmel, K. A., Haub, M. D., Rosenkranz, S. K., & Lindshield, B. L. (2017). Long-Term Dose-Response Condensed Tannin Supplementation Does Not Affect Iron Status or Bioavailability. Current Developments in Nutrition, 1(10), e001081. https://doi.org/10.3945/cdn.117.001081Background: Repeated phytic acid consumption leads to iron absorption adaptation but, to the best of our knowledge, the impact of repeated tannin consumption has not yet been established. Salivary proline-rich proteins (PRPs) may improve iron absorption by precipitating tannins. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of long-term, dose-response condensed tannin supplementation on iron bioavailability and status and to assess the effect of salivary proteins on iron bioavailability during prolonged condensed tannin consumption. A secondary objective was to assess astringency as a potential marker for adaptation to tannins and iron bioavailability. Methods: Eleven nonanemic women were enrolled in a double-blind 3-dose crossover trial. Three (1.5, 0.25, or 0.03 g) condensed tannin supplements were consumed 3 times/d for 4 wk in random order, with 2-wk washouts in between. Meal challenges were employed before and after supplementation to assess iron bioavailability, iron status, salivary PRP changes, and astringency. Results: Tannin supplementation in any dose did not change iron bioavailability at any dose (P . 0.82) from weeks 0 to 4. Hemoglobin (P = 0.126) and serum ferritin (P = 0.83) were unchanged by tannin dose from weeks 0 to 4. There were significant correlations among tannin supplementation and iron bioavailability, basic proline-rich proteins (bPRPs) (r = 0.366, P = 0.003), and cystatin production (r = 0.27, P = 0.03). Astringency ratings did not change significantly within or between tannin doses (P . 0.126), but there were negative relations among bPRP (r , 20.32, P , 0.21), cystatin production (r , 20.2, P , 0.28), and astringency ratings. Conclusions: Condensed tannin consumption did not affect iron bioavailability or status regardless of the supplementation period in premenopausal nonanemic women. Correlation analyses suggest that bPRPs and cystatins are associated with improved iron bioavailability and that lower ratings of astringency may predict improved iron absorption with repeated tannin consumption. Curr Dev Nutr 2017;1:e001081

Efficient, low threshold, cryogenic Ho:YAG laser

Published 18 May 2016Abstract not availableMiftar Ganija, Nikita Simakov, Alexander Hemming, John Haub, Peter Veitch, and Jesper Munc

A vertebrate case study of the quality of assemblies derived from next-generation sequences

The unparalleled efficiency of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has prompted widespread adoption, but significant problems remain in the use of NGS data for whole genome assembly. We explore the advantages and disadvantages of chicken genome assemblies generated using a variety of sequencing and assembly methodologies. NGS assemblies are equivalent in some ways to a Sanger-based assembly yet deficient in others. Nonetheless, these assemblies are sufficient for the identification of the majority of genes and can reveal novel sequences when compared to existing assembly references

Calcium-fortified beverage supplementation on body composition in postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND: We investigated the effects of a calcium-fortified beverage supplemented over 12 months on body composition in postmenopausal women (n = 37, age = 48–75 y). METHODS: Body composition (total-body percent fat, %Fat(TB); abdominal percent fat, %Fat(AB)) was measured with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. After baseline assessments, subjects were randomly assigned to a free-living control group (CTL) or the supplement group (1,125 mg Ca(++)/d, CAL). Dietary intake was assessed with 3-day diet records taken at baseline and 12 months (POST). Physical activity was measured using the Yale Physical Activity Survey. RESULTS: At 12 months, the dietary calcium to protein ratio in the CAL group (32.3 ± 15.6 mg/g) was greater than the CTL group (15.2 ± 7.5 mg/g). There were no differences from baseline to POST between groups for changes in body weight (CAL = 0.1 ± 3.0 kg; CTL = 0.0 ± 2.9 kg), %Fat(TB )(CAL = 0.0 ± 2.4%; CTL = 0.5 ± 5.4%), %Fat(AB )(CAL = -0.4 ± 8.7%; CTL = 0.6 ± 8.7%), or fat mass (CAL = 1.3 ± 2.6 kg; CTL = 1.3 ± 2.7 kg). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that increasing the calcium to protein ratio over two-fold by consuming a calcium-fortified beverage for 12 months did not decrease body weight, body fat, or abdominal fat composition in postmenopausal women

Apolipoprotein E controls the development of monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages upon pulmonary inflammatory adaptation

The lung is constantly exposed to the outside world and optimal adaptation of immune responses is crucial for efficient pathogen clearance. However, mechanisms that lead to lung-associated macrophages' functional and developmental adaptation remain elusive. To reveal such mechanisms, we developed a reductionist model of environmental intranasal β-glucan exposure, allowing for the detailed interrogation of molecular mechanisms of pulmonary macrophage adaptation. Employing single-cell transcriptomics, high dimensional imaging, and flow cytometric characterization paired with in vivo and ex vivo challenge models, we reveal that pulmonary low-grade inflammation results in the development of Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) -dependent monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages (ApoE+CD11b+ AM). ApoE+CD11b+ AMs expressed high levels of CD11b, ApoE, Gpnmb, and Ccl6, were glycolytic, highly phagocytic, and produced large amounts of interleukin 6 upon restimulation. Functional differences were cell intrinsic and myeloid cell-specific ApoE ablation inhibited Ly6c+ monocyte to ApoE+CD11b+ AM differentiation dependent on M-CSF secretion, promoting ApoE+CD11b+ AM cell death and thus impeding ApoE+CD11b+ AM maintenance. In vivo, β-glucan-elicited ApoE+CD11b+ AMs limited the bacterial burden of Legionella pneumophilia post-infection and improved the disease outcome in vivo and ex vivo in a murine lung fibrosis model. Collectively these data identify ApoE+CD11b+ AMs generated uponenvironmental cues, under the control of ApoE signaling, as an essential determinant for lung adaptation enhancing tissue resilience

Comparison of the Physical Attributes of Plant-Based Ground Beef Alternatives to Ground Beef

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical attributes of three different plant-based, ground beef alternatives in comparison to ground beef of three different fat percentages. Study Description: Ground beef of three different fat percentages, a retail pea protein-based ground beef alternative, and a traditional soy-based ground beef alternative were obtained from retail stores (n = 15 lots/treatment). Samples from 15 lots of a foodservice soy protein-based ground beef alternative were obtained from a foodservice chain. All samples were fabricated into 0.25 lb patties assigned to one of four assays: color analysis, texture profile analysis, shear force, and pressed juice percentage. Results: When evaluating raw color, traditional ground beef alternative had the highest (P \u3c 0.05) a* value and were redder when compared to all other treatments, with retail ground beef alternative having the lowest (P \u3c 0.05) a* value. Traditional and retail ground beef alternative had the highest (P \u3c 0.05) a* value, while foodservice ground beef alternative, and 30% and 10% fat ground beef had the lowest (P \u3c 0.05) a* value for cooked surface color. For texture attributes, retail and foodservice ground beef alternatives had lower (P \u3c 0.05) values for cohesiveness, gumminess, hardness, and chewiness, as well as higher (P \u3c 0.05) values for springiness, than all other treatments evaluated. For shear force, the three ground beef alternatives were more tender (P \u3c 0.05) than all three ground beef treatments, with foodservice and retail ground beef alternatives being more tender (P \u3c 0.05) than all treatments. The three ground beef treatments had greater (P \u3c 0.05) pressed juice percentage values than all ground beef alternatives, indicating the ground beef was juicier than any of the ground beef alternatives evaluated. The Bottom Line: While the ground beef alternative products attempt to mimic ground beef, they provide very different color, texture, tenderness, and cooking characteristics than traditional ground beef

Consumer Sensory Evaluation of Plant-Based Ground Beef Alternatives in Comparison to Ground Beef of Various Fat Percentages

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if current plant-based protein ground beef alternatives offer similar palatability characteristics to ground beef patties of varying fat percentages. Study Description: Fifteen different production lots (n = 15/fat level) of 3 lb ground beef chubs of three different fat levels (10%, 20%, and 30%) were collected from retail markets in the Manhattan, KS, area. Additionally, alternative products including a soy and potato protein-based foodservice ground beef alternative, a pea protein-based retail ground beef alternative, and a traditional soy protein-based ground beef alternative, (n = 15 production lots/product) currently available through commercial channels were collected from retail markets and a commercial foodservice chain. All ground beef and alternative treatments were formed into 0.25-lb patties and frozen at -40 degrees F until consumer sensory analysis. Results: All three ground beef samples rated higher (P \u3c 0.05) than the three alternative samples for appearance, overall flavor, beef flavor, and overall liking. Retail alternative rated lowest (P \u3c 0.05) for appearance, overall flavor, texture, and overall liking. Of the alternative samples, foodservice alternative rated highest (P \u3c 0.05) for juiciness, beef flavor, and texture liking, and traditional alternative rated lowest (P \u3c 0.05) for juiciness. However, the foodservice alternative rated higher (P \u3c 0.05) for tenderness than the 20% fat ground beef samples. Moreover, of the alternative samples, the foodservice alternative and traditional alternative rated similar (P \u3e 0.05) for appearance, tenderness, overall flavor liking, and overall liking. Among the ground beef samples, no differences (P \u3e 0.05) were found for appearance, juiciness, overall flavor liking, beef flavor liking, or overall liking. For the percentage of samples rated acceptable for each palatability trait, all three ground beef treatments had a higher (P \u3c 0.05) percentage of samples rated acceptable for appearance, overall flavor liking, beef flavor liking, texture, and overall liking than the three alternative. Retail alternative had the lowest (P \u3c 0.05) percentage of samples rated acceptable for appearance, overall flavor, texture, and overall liking. Traditional alternative had the lowest (P \u3c 0.05) percentage of samples rated acceptable for juiciness. Among the alternative samples, foodservice alternative had the highest (P \u3c 0.05) percentage of samples rated acceptable for juiciness and beef flavor liking. Furthermore, among the alternative treatments, foodservice alternative and traditional alternative had a similar (P \u3e 0.05) percentage of samples rated acceptable for appearance, overall flavor liking, texture liking, and overall liking. The Bottom Line: While the ground beef alternative products attempt to mimic ground beef, they provide very different consumer eating experiences than traditional ground beef

Meta-Analysis of Differentiating Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Gene Expression Kinetics Reveals Early Change of a Small Gene Set

Stem cell differentiation involves critical changes in gene expression. Identification of these should provide endpoints useful for optimizing stem cell propagation as well as potential clues about mechanisms governing stem cell maintenance. Here we describe the results of a new meta-analysis methodology applied to multiple gene expression datasets from three mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines obtained at specific time points during the course of their differentiation into various lineages. We developed methods to identify genes with expression changes that correlated with the altered frequency of functionally defined, undifferentiated ESC in culture. In each dataset, we computed a novel statistical confidence measure for every gene which captured the certainty that a particular gene exhibited an expression pattern of interest within that dataset. This permitted a joint analysis of the datasets, despite the different experimental designs. Using a ranking scheme that favored genes exhibiting patterns of interest, we focused on the top 88 genes whose expression was consistently changed when ESC were induced to differentiate. Seven of these (103728_at, 8430410A17Rik, Klf2, Nr0b1, Sox2, Tcl1, and Zfp42) showed a rapid decrease in expression concurrent with a decrease in frequency of undifferentiated cells and remained predictive when evaluated in additional maintenance and differentiating protocols. Through a novel meta-analysis, this study identifies a small set of genes whose expression is useful for identifying changes in stem cell frequencies in cultures of mouse ESC. The methods and findings have broader applicability to understanding the regulation of self-renewal of other stem cell types

Role of the Transcriptional Corepressor Bcor in Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation and Early Embryonic Development

Bcor (BCL6 corepressor) is a widely expressed gene that is mutated in patients with X-linked Oculofaciocardiodental (OFCD) syndrome. BCOR regulates gene expression in association with a complex of proteins capable of epigenetic modification of chromatin. These include Polycomb group (PcG) proteins, Skp-Cullin-F-box (SCF) ubiquitin ligase components and a Jumonji C (Jmjc) domain containing histone demethylase. To model OFCD in mice and dissect the role of Bcor in development we have characterized two loss of function Bcor alleles. We find that Bcor loss of function results in a strong parent-of-origin effect, most likely indicating a requirement for Bcor in extraembryonic development. Using Bcor loss of function embryonic stem (ES) cells and in vitro differentiation assays, we demonstrate that Bcor plays a role in the regulation of gene expression very early in the differentiation of ES cells into ectoderm, mesoderm and downstream hematopoietic lineages. Normal expression of affected genes (Oct3/4, Nanog, Fgf5, Bmp4, Brachyury and Flk1) is restored upon re-expression of Bcor. Consistent with these ES cell results, chimeric animals generated with the same loss of function Bcor alleles show a low contribution to B and T cells and erythrocytes and have kinked and shortened tails, consistent with reduced Brachyury expression. Together these results suggest that Bcor plays a role in differentiation of multiple tissue lineages during early embryonic development